Based on The Who’s Rock album, this film is set amongst the Mod and Rockers of the 60’s and there rivalry which builds up to there yearly Gangwar meet were they terroized Britain's coastal resorts. The Mods with there Italian fashion, Parker jackets, Scooters and penchant for a diet of Amphetamines (uppers) to keep them up all night. There house bands were The Who, The Small Faces, and the latest Motown and RaB crazes from America. A Mod tends to be more concerned with social status.

The Rockers...Leathers, Motorbikes, unwashed, unkempt and also wasters. They based there image on Marlon Brando in the ‘Wild One’, a true Outlaw who lives and Dies by his own rules. The film was changed a bit from the album, out of the 4 characters that are in the album only one survived..Jimmy (Phil Daniels), A schizophrenic. As soon as the film begins your introduced to Jimmy’s world as a young Mod. A world of high paced Dance’s and were the ultimate task is to obtain enough pills for Brighton. Jimmy seems transfixed with being the ultimate Mod, a Face, but within that lifestyle is himself just one of the crowd.

You see Jimmy struggle to balance his job and restraining homelife with his nights out amongst his Pals. The Cockney humour is hilarious, and the films like a who’s who of actors you know, Phil Daniels from Blurs video ‘Parklife’, That guy from the Bill, Leslie Ash from Men Behaving Badly all star. In a hilarious encounter in a bathhouse Jimmy discovers a old class mate who’s just ditched the army. There friendship is rekindled but he then discovers he’s a rocker and tries not to be seen with him in public. Later on the rocker is violently beating by Jimmy's posse of mods before Jimmy spots who it is. We see how restraining being a Mod is, and Jimmy realises there’s some of a rocker in him as well when he listens to his friend talk about ditching the army due to one git sergeant.

All there activity's build up to one single event in Brighton. For a stand-off against the rockers. Its here that Jimmy spots Ace (Sting), who appears to be the ultimate Mod. With the best scooter and his designer image of blond hair and leather trench jacket he is not only a Mod but a Mod who has his own individuality, a true face. This fills Jimmy with both admiration and jealousy as Steph (leslie Ash), a girl he fancy's shows interest in him. In his own yobbish cockney charm he tries to divert attention to himself by jumping of the balcony at the Dance. Unfortunately this backfires and he gets thrown out.

When the Rockers and Mods clash on the beach Jimmy is seemingly overwhelmed by the experience of being a Mod. With the rallying call of ‘’We Are The Mods’’ Its here that he feels he belongs. He also gets the girl but then gets thrown in a Police van with Ace and a bunch of Rockers were Ace offers him a cigarette. Jimmy now has the common respect of Ace. He feels like a true Face. Getting fined £50 and then released and heads back home were he confidently Quits his job and gets kicked out from home. He discovers Steph has run of with his best mate. The sense of chivalry amongst friends at Brighton no longer exists

He also discovers Ace is nothing more then a Bellboy, waiting on peoples bags. Ace unwittingly shatters his dream. Jimmy discovers there’s a barrier were being a Mod stops when it threatens your Job, therefore Income yet he feels consumed by the feelings he got at Brighton at being a Mod  Steeling Ace’s scooter, in one final move to the shear rock majesty of ‘’Reign On Me’’ he drives it off Brighton's cliffs. Fulfilling the ‘’I hope I Die Before I get Old’’ promise, that most just see as a simple rebellion lyric.

This is a film I think most adolescent males can relate to. It deals with fitting in with the crowd yet retaining your individual status and standing. It’s about being a Teenager and feeling your somehow lost in the wilderness. The Who done Teenage angst way better then bloody Nirvana.(i just  had to throw  that in, didnt i)

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